If I Could Knit...

I'd make this Bunny Hat and Booties set. So adorable!! Couldn't you just see a precious baby girl, in this hat. And these booties, are just too cut for words! If I could knit, I'd make this, for a sweet baby girl. That is soon to make her appearance in our family!

~Manders

Bedroom Ideas

With our "Big Girl," turning 5 yesterday, we've been wanting to do something. Something special! Lauren has pretty much, had the same room, for 5 years. It's beautiful! Lola designed it for us. Sewed everything! Cari painted beautiful murals.

But Lauren is 5 years old. And we think, it's about time, that she got a "Big Girl" room. Something more special. More Lauren. So we talked to Joe. A good friend of ours. Who is also a very talented carpenter! And Lola. A very talented designer, and organizer! We've decided, to give Lauren, a new bedroom.

So I've done a little research. A little digging around. With Lauren a bit. And a bit on my own. And this, is what we've come up with, so far.



Maybe something "Fairy Tale" inspired! Believe it or not, Billy and Joe found this. Lauren LOVES it! And from what Joe told us, this is very doable!



How about a Cinderella carriage? Maybe a little over the top for us! But this definitely reminded me of Sarita!



How about this? Much more Lauren's style! But honestly, would my daughter, ever get rest? Would she sleep? Or would she want to play all night?



This is the same idea, but I think is a little more "sleep friendly." A place that Lauren, could actually sleep! But still have some fun in. :)



Or should we go with something more "Grown Up?" Something that Lauren can "grow into." That say, in 5 or 10 years, she can still use.

So many decisions! But our Big Girl deserves it! We might not know, what the details are. What "theme" we will go with. But Lauren did tell me, it's definitely going to be pink! Oh sweet girl! I wouldn't have thought differently. This from the girl, who dreamt of pink Christmas trees!

What do you think? Are we crazy? Do you have any ideas? I do know, it's not going to be as detailed, as Miss Emma's Snow White room. But it will be something special. Just for Lauren!

~Manders

Adorable Dolls

Do you remember last week, when I blogged about this hat? Super cute! Well, I decided to explore Think Crafty Thoughts some more. :) It's such a fun blog! And has so many great patterns. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who crochets. :)

I decided to sit down the other night, and really go through all the patterns. That's when I found this great pattern. For these dolls. They remind me of "Nesting Dolls." Lauren has a set of "Nesting Dolls," that my mom made her. They're wooden, and my mom painted them. They were the best present, for my then 2 year old daughter. :) She still plays with them. Almost 3 years later!

So this pattern, really got my attention. Lauren just loves those dolls! And I wish that I had found this pattern a few weeks ago. I would have LOVED to have made these for Lauren's birthday. But that is just a week away!



But I couldn't get these dolls out of my head. Does that ever happen to you? I visited this post, at least 10 times. Then I decided to print it out. I'm 99% positive, that I have all the supplies. And if I start them today, I might have them done, by Easter. I think this would be an adorable addition to her Easter Basket!

Now to just find some time. Being a mommy of 3, time is always a precious commodity. Especially, when you are trying to create some "surprises." But I'm hopeful. And I really do think, I can get all these things done, before the big days ahead!

~Manders

Fast Food...

I've blogged many times, about Lauren's Little Pink Playhouse. To date, it's the best money, that Billy and I, have ever spent on a toy. No lie!

Anytime that Lauren has some money, she wants to buy something for her playhouse. When anyone asks Lauren, what she wants for Christmas, or her birthday, she asks for something for her playhouse. Lucky us, T-Lo always sends something fun!

I can't lie. The other night, I couldn't sleep. So I logged on to our computer, and started "Blog Hopping." :) Not only did I find a fun, and new blog...I found this fun pattern!



In our house, we make pancakes once a week. And on special days...like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. This was a "no brainer" to me. I printed off this pattern. Looked through my yarn. And tonight, I'm going to start working on it.

This is going to be one of Lauren's birthday presents. :) I just wish that I could find some other quick, and easy patterns. Because I know that she will enjoy some new toys, for her playhouse. I don't mind buying the patterns either. So if you have some ideas, please leave me a comment. I'm always looking for new ideas, patterns, Etsy shops, etc.

~Manders

Super Cute!

In the last few months, so many people we know, have welcomed a new little one. It's such a blessing! In the next few months, we know of a handful of babies, who will also be born. I'm telling you, this is such a joy!

I've wanted to branch out. And make a few gifts. Something made with love. I've made a few things for our nephew. And our friends' little girl. But I'd like to make a few more gifts. For some upcoming Baby Showers, that I'm invited to.

I'm not the fastest crocheter. Nor the best. But I try. I have a few projects that I'm working on, for my own kids. So I was looking for something simple. But cute. And I found just that, in this pattern!



I'm seeking some help from Lola. I want to make the hat for newborns. And well, Lola has been at this, a lot longer than me! I want to have 3 or 4 done, by May. Fingers crossed. I can get this done! Because this hat, is seriously cute! I wonder if Abby would like one too...

~Manders

Tea and Cookies Party Set Crochet Pattern

This morning, I was searching through Red Heart's website. They have a TON of free patterns. And I was just looking through them. To see if anything would catch my eye. That's when I found this pattern.



Isn't it adorable? I was thinking of making this tea set, for my girls. If it's not too tough, and too time consuming, I might make them each one. Maybe for their birthdays. Which are in a few weeks. Oh, I think this would be fun!

~Manders

New in 2012: Box Play for Kids

Not long ago, my sister-in-law and I were talking. I swear to you, Robbie is obsessed with boxes! For Christmas it's ALL he wanted to play with. Every time we get a package, he just wants the box! My SIL was telling me, that her sons are the same way.

My SIL made a wonderful discovery last year. Box Play for Kids. Have you heard about them? It's a company, that sells stickers. Not just any stickers. But stickers to put on boxes, egg cartons, milk cartons, and toilet paper rolls. Which turn the boxes into new toys! Yes, they are adorable! And guess what, my SIL sent my kiddos a bunch! This is what we got to try out this week! Just look at what we got. :)



Remember, they were mostly for Robbie. My boy. So this tractor was just perfect! And only $5. It's made for hours, and hours of good playtime!



How about a cow? Around our family, this is the best $8 you could spend! We're all about farm animals!



Let's play doctor. This eye chart is too cute! And just $6. I can hear my twins, for hours, playing with this box. I'm not lying. They even hold a cup over one eye! :)



How about a $5 piano? This is one of Abby's favorites! She sings to herself, and pretends to play. She even tells Billy, that she's practicing to be in the BBs!!!



A $5 camera! This one, all 3 of my kids love! I'm kinda of wanting to order a couple more of these. Because they go around, "snapping pictures," all day long!



How about bowling? This set is only $4! And has given our family, hours of fun. We actually got 3 sets of these. And set it up, in our hallway. Literally, our kids could play for hours!



An $8 pink refrigerator. Where was this, when we were buying stuff for Lauren's Little Pink Playhouse? Could have saved us some serious money!



How about a Bento Box for pretend play? This one is $6. And I see Lauren and Abby "feeding" their babies for hours and hours. So cute!



I'm not going to lie, after my SIL told me about this website, I went to peak around. I bookmarked it. And said I was going to order a few things. That was before the holidays. And just the other day, I was thinking about this website. And I figured that I'd order some stuff, for Easter.

But after we got our gifts, I went back to the website. I'm telling you, my kids are in LOVE with these stickers! And guess what I found? Some free Valentine's! Immediately, I downloaded the file. This was one of the gifts we gave our kids. :) Filled with lots of goodies. I also made some, for our friends' kiddos!

Who in the world, would have thought, my kids would LOVE these so much! I'll never look at a toilet paper roll the same way again. Never! Are there any fun toys or crafts, that you've found. Or think we should take a look at. Please let me know!

~Manders

New in 2012: Crafting with Felt

One of the things that I've always loved, is crafts involving felt. Before I even got pregnant with Lauren, I used to Google felt crafts. And I would just stare, at all the beautiful pictures. Reading tutorials for hours and hours.

When I was pregnant with Lauren, we moved to Texas. To the family Ranch. Near the end of my pregnancy. Right before we left, I bought a bunch of felt, and other craft supplies. I had all these big plans. But I never got to them.

Over the last, almost 6 years, I've bought so many cute hair bows, hair clips, headbands, and other items made out of felt. And you know what, it just makes me want to craft even more! I was pleasantly surprised Monday, when I found my box of supplies. I was cleaning out the closet in our guest room. And there it was. I put it in my office, and knew, I'd come back to it.

Monday night, after the kids were asleep, I took to Google again. And I found some amazing inspiration. Granted, most of it has something to do with Valentine's Day, I want to try these projects. Take a look...



So stinking cute! These hair clips have to be my favorite project! They're similar to some the Lola made for Abby and Lauren. They look so simple to make. And I can just dream up, so many fun color combos. :)



And this cute headband. Just imagine all the fun headbands, that I could make, for Spring and Summer. I've already begin to buy the kids warmer weather clothes. These would make the perfect addition, to all those new dresses. :)



This heart headband, is just too cute! I was thinking of making one for Lauren, Maribel, and a few of our nieces. I might be getting a little ahead of myself. But it's just too cute!



Valentine's Day garland. What more can you say? Isn't this adorable? I think it would look so cute draped over our kitchen windows. :)



How about some gorgeous Valentine's Day wrapping? So simple. But very cute! Now to think of what's going to go inside...



And finally, a little project for me. A fun necklace. I'm thinking more of a soft pink, light grey, and white scheme.

Do you like all of my inspiration? I actually got down to business on Wednesday night. I whipped up some hair clips for my girls. 2 flower ones, and 2 heart ones. I want to try and tackle some headbands this weekend. These projects are so simple. And fast! Can you think up, any other ideas for me to tackle?

~Manders

If Only...

If only I had thought of this idea. At least a few weeks ago. Or at the very least, seen this picture. It would have made me, and some sweet little girls, very happy!



Yes, 5 days before Christmas, I find this picture. Actually, my sister-in-law sent it to me. I would have loved to make little food for my girls. But I'm just not that good at crocheting...not yet anyone. To make this in 5 days. So I will save this picture. And tackle this at a later day. Maybe for my girls' birthdays. If only, I'd had this a month ago...

~Manders

Did You Say Hello Kitty???

Just the other day, I ran into Wal-Mart, for a few things. And to my surprise, they had this HUGE display of Hello Kitty items. Abby was so intrigued by them. She kept her eyes glued to that display.

When we got home, and I was making dinner, she came into the kitchen. To tell me all about the Hello Kitty stuff. Describing everything to a T! And she really wanted a hat. The one with the kitty face, and big pink bow. When Billy got home, she told him, exactly what it looked like.

That night, after the kids went to bed, Billy headed back to Wal-Mart. And he couldn't find it. He actually went to the 2 stores nearest us. No luck! So I called my sister, and asked her to keep her eye out, for the hat. In fact, the next day, she went looking for it. Yet again, no luck!

Billy had some business stuff to work on, so he headed to the larger city, near us. And ended up, going to all the Wal-Marts in town. The very next day! Still no luck! I called friends, and family. Nothing! Just my luck. The one thing that Abby wants, and I can't find.

Lola recommended that I try to crochet one. I had honestly never thought of it. So I began my task with Google. And I came up with this picture. Isn't it cute? Most importantly, it has the "Big Pink Bow," that grabbed Abby's attention!



OK, I must have some bad luck. The link was to a listing on Etsy. That's no longer listed! Boo! So I saved the picture. Consulted my dear friend. And I have a plan. Let's just hope, I can get it done before Christmas! :)

~Manders

Smashbox Burlesque Set

I've had a few friends ask me about the holiday collections that are coming out. One that I would not pass up, would be the Smashbox "Burlesque Set."



Especially if you've never tried Smashbox Cosmetics. This is a GREAT buy! And you get a little of everything. I personally have this case. And I'm a fan. It's a great buy, and you get to play with so much makeup! I'd say, add it to your "Santa Wish List."

~Manders